Crime

NC Author Revisits An Unsolved Murder Mystery in Chapel Hill

Frank Stasio and Shawn Wen — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:55:04 +0000

On Christmas Eve of 1963, a young woman named Lucille Rinaldi was murdered in her apartment in downtown Chapel Hill. Later the same day, her husband Frank Rinaldi was arrested and charged with murder.

Over the next two years, the trial consumed the attention of the town. Nora Gaskin was 12 years old when Lucille Rinaldi was killed. The case left an indelible impression on her. She is the author of "Until Proven: A Mystery in Two Parts" (Lystra/ 2013). She joins host Frank Stasio to discuss the novel she has written based on the murder.

Sledge Awaits Justice From Behind Bars

Frank Stasio and Nicole Campbell — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 15:36:33 +0000

In 1976, Joseph Sledge was accused of murdering a mother and daughter in Bladen County, NC. Because of the many limits of scientific evidence at the time, hairs found at the scene of the crime were identified as "Negroid." And because Joseph Sledge was a Black man, the hairs were linked to him. Over 34 years later, the use of DNA testing has been used to prove that those hairs were not Sledges'.

A Philosopher Studies the Brains of Psychopaths

Shawn Wen and Frank Stasio — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:17:50 +0000

Mental health is a focus of national dialogue in the wake of mass shootings around the country. What makes people kill, seemingly without remorse?

Triad Police To Use Private DNA Lab

Jeff Tiberii — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 21:47:05 +0000

A laboratory in Burlington will begin testing forensic evidence and building a regional database of DNA evidence in an effort to help local law enforcement agencies solve crimes. The privately owned DNA: SI Labs says it can test samples and provide results much more quickly than the State Bureau of Investigation.

New Laws Taking Effect In North Carolina

Gurnal Scott — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 13:10:00 +0000

State lawmakers' work in the last session means several new laws will take effect starting today. Legislators say anyone who engages in an act of terrorism will be subject to state as well as federal penalties. Threatening to use explosives, dirty bombs and using violence to intimidate people and governments will be treated as a felony.

The Perfect Non-Crime

Frank Stasio and Susan Davis — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 15:59:00 +0000

There are many ways technology aids in the prevention of crime, but Elon University Law Professor Michael Rich has pondered how far should those methods go. What if software, computers and other digital equipment could actually prevent behavior leading up to a criminal act? Rich joins host Frank Stasio to talk about the social and moral implications of using technology at the risk of impeding on free will.

Collateral Consequences

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 14:45:00 +0000

Crime doesn't pay, or so we've heard. In addition to jail or prison time, fines and community service, there are a host of collateral consequences that many people don't even know about. Access to higher education, housing and even jobs can be affected when you have a criminal record. Two lawyers have set up a database to help people understand the true penalties of different crimes.

Overall Crime Drops In NC But Murders Rise

Catherine Brand — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 23:10:00 +0000

Overall crime across the state is down by nearly one percent, according to the latest statistics from the North Carolina Department of Justice. That makes the 2011 crime rate the state's lowest since 1977. It also marks the third consecutive year of decline. It's not all good news, though. Murder is up by almost six percent. Overall crime in some Triangle-area counties, including Chatham and Franklin, appears to be on the rise.

Lovette Gets Life for Killing Carson

Jeff Tiberii — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:03:00 +0000

Laurence Lovette will serve the rest of his life behind bars for murdering UNC Chapel Hill student body president Eve Carson. On Tuesday Lovette became the second man convicted in the killing. District Attorney Jim Woodall says in the four years since the crime, the Carson case has received attention throughout the country.

Judge Orders New Trial for Michael Peterson

WUNC News — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 18:40:00 +0000

A judge has ruled that Durham novelist Michael Peterson will get a new trial in his wife's 2001 death. Judge Orlando Hudson ruled Wednesday that former State Bureau of Investigation agent Duane Deaver misled the court about the bloodstain evidence at the 2003 trial in which Peterson was convicted of murder in the death of Kathleen Peterson, who was found at the bottom of a bloody staircase. The SBI fired Deaver in January after an independent audit found he misreported, mishandled or exaggerated forensic evidence in 34 criminal cases.